By Corey Gustafson
Chairman, Republican Party of San Diego County
The Republican Party of San Diego County is proud to have a strong group of patriots running for office in San Diego County. Our candidates will turn our county around after years of mismanagement by San Diego Democrats. They will promote freedom, exercise responsible government, work to make life affordable again for San Diegans, reduce homelessness and back our police officers and firefighters.
Jared Wilson represents one of those extraordinary Republican candidates and has earned our endorsement. A former police officer, Jared now hopes to serve District 2 on the Poway City Council. He is a solid conservative problem-solver and seeks to ensure that Poway stays a safe place to live and work. Jared opposes tax increases and believes in balanced budgets. He is a family man running to make sure Poway stays rooted in American constitutional values.
The Republican Party of San Diego County’s Central Committee unanimously endorsed Jared, as have Poway Mayor Steve Vaus, Deputy Mayor Caylin Frank, Council Members Brian Pepin and Peter de Hoff, Congressman Darrell Issa, the Lincoln Club Business League and San Diego County Gun Owners.
Only one local conservative organization (Reform California) has declined to endorse Jared Wilson, instead favoring a rogue Republican in the race. I say “rogue” because that candidate made a pledge to bow out of the race if the Republican Central Committee endorsed another candidate and now has failed to do so. We expect Republicans to be true to their word; he is not.
These actions are counterproductive to the conservative movement in San Diego County. Republicans unified behind a single candidate stand a better chance of beating one Democrat than do two Republicans splitting the vote. We must unify behind a single candidate rather than hand Democrats a victory and lose this seat.
Recent history shows that Republican infighting in San Diego County has lost our Party winnable races. For example, in 2018 a rogue Republican ran against our officially endorsed candidate, enabling a Democrat to win in AD 76 (now AD 74). The same thing happened in Oceanside in 2020, leaving Oceanside stuck with a Democratic Mayor.
As Chairman of the Republican Party of San Diego County, my mission centers on promoting the best Republican candidates that can win elections. In Poway’s District 2, Jared Wilson is clearly the best Republican choice for the City Council.
If we are to make San Diego County red again we must cultivate Republican unity to win key offices. This will require discipline and the avoidance of political infighting. For this to occur we must stand firmly together, on the same side, behind the same candidates.
In support of that goal, the current Republican Central Committee, as well as the incoming 2025 members, stand resolute in our determination to support and elect our endorsed Republican candidates.
Victory in November depends on our unity. Jared Wilson clearly represents the best qualified conservative choice for Poway City Council’s District 2. I urge Reform California to reconsider its endorsement and unite with us in this race. Most importantly, I urge Republican voters in Poway to support Jared Wilson.
